Request a Review From KB

[Hard Hit Prince]

KB just doesn't want to get puroresu and there's nothing wrong with that, so dude, if you don't like it, just say it. Everyone has their taste!! It would be nice if you had an open mind, as I really like to read your reviews, even and specially when I don't agree with you, but if you're going to be "anti-New Japan", just don't bother, really dude.

 

[klunderbunker]

KB just doesn't want to get puroresu and there's nothing wrong with that, so dude, if you don't like it, just say it. Everyone has their taste!! It would be nice if you had an open mind, as I really like to read your reviews, even and specially when I don't agree with you, but if you're going to be "anti-New Japan", just don't bother, really dude.

It's not anti-New Japan. It's anti-fans who won't accept that I don't like something they like. For some reason, because I don't like a product where I don't get the main thing I care about in wrestling, it makes me some moron who doesn't get it. It's also very tiresome being told "THIS is the show that will make you love New Japan." In other words: I'll probably like the show, just not enough to watch the product full time because it's not my thing, which the hardcore puro fans interpret as me being an uncultured WWE mark, because WWE is EVIL.

 

[Remix]

Of freaking course since you're the fourth person to ask me. Expect it to be a bit of an angrier review though.

If I'd known that, I wouldn't have asked. I didn't see it in this thread so I thought noone had. In hindsight, I should have looked through your QA thread before asking. I apologise for annoying you.

And hey, a more negative review of the show would at the very least make a change from the glowing praise everyone else is giving it. Not your thing, and nor will it ever be. It's not entirely mine either (I'm just an Ibushi mark). But the 'wrestlemania' show of the second or third biggest wrestling company in the world does deserve a review, hence my request.

 

[Papa Pillman]

But the 'wrestlemania' show of the second or third biggest wrestling company in the world does deserve a review, hence my request.

If NJPW isn't second, what company possibly could be??


Also, to play Devil's Advocate, BFG is supposedly the "Wrestlemania" event for TNA, which could maybe still be considered the third biggest company in the world, and that show definitely didn't deserve a review this year.

 

[Remix]

Arguably TNA because NJPW aren't really a thing internationally, and the sheer size of the US market vs Japan's. Like, Impact was still getting a million plus viewers which I'm pretty sure is more than watched WK9. It's a debate not worth having, hence second or third.

Though, with TNA's recent woes, perhaps they are the definitive #3. Personally, I don't care enough to take a stance.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

It's not anti-New Japan. It's anti-fans who won't accept that I don't like something they like. For some reason, because I don't like a product where I don't get the main thing I care about in wrestling, it makes me some moron who doesn't get it. It's also very tiresome being told "THIS is the show that will make you love New Japan." In other words: I'll probably like the show, just not enough to watch the product full time because it's not my thing, which the hardcore puro fans interpret as me being an uncultured WWE mark, because WWE is EVIL.

I remember asking you to review a match and I got your response and totally understood it. It's a different psychology, a different way to tell a story, and some people enjoy the "americanized" product and it isn't nobody's business. However I do have to say that you looked upset with the request, when in reality you should be flattered for the request, because it means, that somebody cares for your opinion. Also, it's wrestling and everyone enjoys what they want. I think you shouldn't do the review honestly. Just say no and people will understand it, such as I did before.

 

[klunderbunker]

It does deserve a review. Four to five hours just sounds REALLY long to sit through.

TNA at the moment is fighting to be #3 in this country so #2 in the world isn't happening. It's WWE then New Japan until something changes.

 

[klunderbunker]

I remember asking you to review a match and I got your response and totally understood it. It's a different psychology, a different way to tell a story, and some people enjoy the "americanized" product and it isn't nobody's business. However I do have to say that you looked upset with the request, when in reality you should be flattered for the request, because it means, that somebody cares for your opinion. Also, it's wrestling and everyone enjoys what they want. I think you shouldn't do the review honestly. Just say no and people will understand it, such as I did before.

That's the thing: my review is almost always the same: good show, not enough to make me watch full time because it's not my style. Then the next year it's "But KB, this one will TOTALLY change your mind." I'll probably do it and like the show, but my interest in New Japan will go away tunil just after Christmas next year again.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

It does deserve a review. Four to five hours just sounds REALLY long to sit through.

TNA at the moment is fighting to be #3 in this country so #2 in the world isn't happening. It's WWE then New Japan until something changes.

Well at least this one gave away only three and a half hours, it's more or less WrestleMania's time. You'll enjoy it, but I don't believe you'll follow it either, mostly because you cover a lot of ground, but reviewing their major show, would at least, please some of the people that enjoy your reviews website.

Either way, I totally get where you coming from and even though I thought about asking, I really put myself out of that position. It's just that thing that after a PPV or a show, I read, Meltzer's opinion, Caldwell opinion and yours.

 

[Papa Pillman]

It does deserve a review. Four to five hours just sounds REALLY long to sit through.

If it makes you feel any better, with the time restraints due to the GFW co-production, this years show(once you subtract the 10-15 minute post-main event celebration) only clocks in around 3:45.

 

[klunderbunker]

3:45 I can deal with. And thanks for those of you that care about my opinion. That means a lot.

 

[ABMorales787]

AAA is far more successful than ROH or TNA so I'd put them in #2 in America, #3 in the world.

 

[Remix]

So KB, will it be Japanese commentary you can't understand or English, which means Striker?

For the record, I feel Striker was the perfect choice for this event being a wrestling Wikipedia is a good trait when it's a fair assumption that a lot of people watching aren't familiar with the product. Granted, he's still Matt Striker, which means he'll annoy the piss out of you, but he was the right choice imo.

 

[Papa Pillman]

For the record, I feel Striker was the perfect choice for this event being a wrestling Wikipedia is a good trait when it's a fair assumption that a lot of people watching aren't familiar with the product. Granted, he's still Matt Striker, which means he'll annoy the piss out of you, but he was the right choice imo.

Having watched the majority of the card now, I think this opinion is pretty spot on.

I still think that Tenay may have been better, but without TNA allowing Tenay to do the show, Striker confirmed why he was a great choice.

A guy with the kind of encyclopedic knowledge of Puroresu that both Tenay and Striker possess was a definitely the appropriate partner for JR.

 

[ABMorales787]

From what I've seen of the show, he's kept the stupidity from Lucha Underground at a total zero.

 

[klunderbunker]

So KB, will it be Japanese commentary you can't understand or English, which means Striker?

For the record, I feel Striker was the perfect choice for this event being a wrestling Wikipedia is a good trait when it's a fair assumption that a lot of people watching aren't familiar with the product. Granted, he's still Matt Striker, which means he'll annoy the piss out of you, but he was the right choice imo.

Matt Striker isn't qualified to be vice president of a bowling alley. I can't stand that pest.

Having watched the majority of the card now, I think this opinion is pretty spot on.

I still think that Tenay may have been better, but without TNA allowing Tenay to do the show, Striker confirmed why he was a great choice.

A guy with the kind of encyclopedic knowledge of Puroresu that both Tenay and Striker possess was a definitely the appropriate partner for JR.

I'd have gone with Sonny Onoo but that's just me.

 

[FlexAmerican Dynamite]

Never really understood the Striker hate. I still prefer a guy who knows way too much than people who know too little and don't care at all.

 

[klunderbunker]

Never really understood the Striker hate. I still prefer a guy who knows way too much than people who know too little and don't care at all.

There are three parts to it.

1. He's VERY condescending. I understand that he knows a lot of terms, but he sounds like we're supposed to bow down to his knowledge and that we're lucky to get to hear him. Despite being the most overrated commentary guy of all time, Joey Styles could do snap off names of moves and never once sounded like Striker does.

2. The cheap shots at WWE/fanboy moments. Stuff like "I'M MARKING OUT BRO!" and "yes there is good wrestling out there. Go find it on the internet!" It comes off like he's trying to sound cool and anti-establishment but it comes off as just annoying and trying WAY too hard.

3. The ridiculous nicknames he gave people, with Yoshi Tatsu being the "poison fist of the pacific rim." Just.....calm down.

That's my who issue with Striker: he needs to calm down and just be the expert like Mike Tenay was in 1997. I could totally get behind Striker as an historian and expert, but he goes WAY too far with it and drowns himself out.

 

[FlexAmerican Dynamite]

There are three parts to it.

1. He's VERY condescending. I understand that he knows a lot of terms, but he sounds like we're supposed to bow down to his knowledge and that we're lucky to get to hear him. Despite being the most overrated commentary guy of all time, Joey Styles could do snap off names of moves and never once sounded like Striker does.

2. The cheap shots at WWE/fanboy moments. Stuff like "I'M MARKING OUT BRO!" and "yes there is good wrestling out there. Go find it on the internet!" It comes off like he's trying to sound cool and anti-establishment but it comes off as just annoying and trying WAY too hard.

3. The ridiculous nicknames he gave people, with Yoshi Tatsu being the "poison fist of the pacific rim." Just.....calm down.

That's my who issue with Striker: he needs to calm down and just be the expert like Mike Tenay was in 1997. I could totally get behind Striker as an historian and expert, but he goes WAY too far with it and drowns himself out.

Eh, maybe it's because I haven't heard him do commentary in years (Lucha Underground aside as I haven't watched a majority of it) I didn't find him to do any of those things on the show last night. He knew his place and kept things to a minimum when they needed to be and brought up the intensity when it needed to happen and JR was quiet.

And to be fair most talents wish commentators would put them over and give them names that would be marketable. It's not that bad of a nickname either.

 

[klunderbunker]

Getting talent over is fine, but if it gets on the fans' nerves it defeats the purpose.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

This was to present the wrestlers, he was a better choice than JR to be honest. But I agree, he's WAY anti-WWE. Every company has good and bad. I am actually intrigued to see your thoughts on the Nakamura/Ibushi match up.

Just to give you a small preview - Nakamura defeated Ibushi two years ago in the G1 Climax, in what was described one of the best matches of that year (I saw it, I agree). Ibushi was a "junior wrestler" and kayfabe wise, that's important, because "size matters". After that defeat, Ibushi lived with the thought that "he wasn't good enough", and so, he made the transition to heavyweight (gained some pounds really) and he challenged Nakamura for this match. Nakamura is a respected heel, I know that this is awkward to understand, but basically, Nakamura's so good in his role, that people like him, even though that he does some heel stuff. The story of the match is not so much about the title, but more about Ibushi proving the world that he deserves to be in the heavyweight division and that he can defeat Nakamura. That was to me, the most interesting match of the card...

 

[ABMorales787]

That's just stupid. Ibushi has more muscle mass than Nakamura.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

That's just stupid. Ibushi has more muscle mass than Nakamura.

It's a weight class. Ibushi was 190lb and Nakamura is 229lb, and size matters as far as legit fight goes. Unless you've training. Puroresu is different in that regard, you don't have to suspend your disbelief that much. Think MMA, there's a reason you'll "never" see Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar against each other in the Octagon.

 

[ABMorales787]

It's a weight class. Ibushi was 190lb and Nakamura is 229lb, and size matters as far as legit fight goes. Unless you've training. Puroresu is different in that regard, you don't have to suspend your disbelief that much. Think MMA, there's a reason you'll "never" see Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar against each other in the Octagon.

You do realize weight classes in wrestling existed long before NJPW even existed right? Look up CMLL who still do it. More than Jr. & Heavyweights. They stopped existing in most promotions because of this same silliness.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

You do realize weight classes in wrestling existed long before NJPW even existed right? Look up CMLL who still do it. More than Jr. & Heavyweights. They stopped existing in most promotions because of this same silliness.

Yes, and hopefully long before the Rikidozan's success in Japan. So, I don't understand your "That's just stupid" and "silliness" part comment.